As much as I wanted to leave the small town that I grew up in, I couldn't help but miss it when I was away at college. Parsippany, for me, was the perfect town to form connections with my friends and obtain a fruitful childhood. It isn't like any other small town, and I'm ecstatic that I got to come back this summer. Here are 20 moments I can recall experiencing while growing up here.

1. Long Weekend Shoprite Lines

And how you dreaded being dragged there by your parents.

2. Fuddruckers and Movie Theater Combo Trips

They were clearly next to each other for this reason. And you didn't tell your mom that you walked along Route 46.

3. Or making the trip to AMC in Rockaway for IMAX 3D Movies

Because that action movie that came out was clearly going to look better on these screens.

4. Seeing your friends on the first day of middle school and begging them to find you at lunch so you're not alone among strangers.

Since six elementary schools all came together into one middle school class.

5. Frantically texting your friends when your schedule came in the mail to figure out if you all shared classes.

And audibly cheering when you found a friend to survive hell with.

6. Walks around Lake Parsippany

7. Being a part of a town team (Parsippany Soccer Club, Little Vikings Football, etc)

And it didn't matter if you were actually good or not to be on the team.

8. Hanging out at Rockaway Mall or Willowbrook Mall

Complete with an Auntie Anne's pretzel and food court teriyaki chicken.

9. Going to TGI Fridays or Applebees after Homecoming, Semi, or any other dance.

In all honesty, these trips were only to get dessert.

10. Fourth of July Fireworks at the Hills

Where you run around and try and find your other friends on the various fields.

11. Summer Book Challenges at the Parsippany Library

And the end of summer ice cream that you would receive afterward if you beat the challenge.

12. Trying to figure out the best neighborhood for optimal Halloween candy with friends.

Rainbow Lakes and Mount Tabor rang a bell usually.

13. Frequenting a local ice cream shop (Denville Dairy, Lake Hiawatha Dairy, Super Scoops, etc.)

The perfect end to a summer night or after a sports game.

14. Visiting a local business only to see and bother a friend who was working (e.g. pizzeria.)

And hoping that they could take a few minutes off to hang out.

15. Weekend bagels from TFAB or Mountain Lakes Bagels

Nothing said a weekend morning like a Taylor Ham, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel.

16. Grabbing candy during the Memorial Day Parade

While also donning red, white, and blue, and remembering our fallen soldiers.

17. Feeling uber excited taking the Lakeland Bus into NYC for the first time with friends

Only to find out that you would get dropped off into the dump that is Port Authority Bus Terminal.

18. Late night diner trips.

Because late nights ended best with fried food and inexpensive checks.

19. Graduating on the Hills or High Football Field

(unless you were in the Class of 2015 or if it was raining)

And even if you were going far away for college, still being thankful that you grew up in this town.